Senate To End U.S. Government Shutdown

The United States Senate was able to reach a deal on Monday to end the partial government shutdown and allow thousands of civil employees to return to work.

The Senate passed the procedural vote allowing the bill to advance with an 81 to 18 result, well over the needed 60 “yes” ballots, before a final passage vote that is expected later in the day.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would support the bill if Republicans addressed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to allow for children of illegal immigrants to stay in the country.

MR. Schumer said he expects the three-day-long shutdown to conclude in the coming hours.

“We will vote today to re-open the government to continue negotiating a global agreement,” the Democratic senator said, explaining that he holds out hope for continued talks with Republicans over the DACA program.

The program allows some 700,000 illegal immigrant children to stay and work in the United States, known as “Dreamers” and came into effect under the administration of former U.S. President Barack Obama.

Democrats are working to protect the Dreamers after Mr. Trump rescinded the policy in September of last year.

After the Senate approves the bill in a final vote,

Shutdown over immigration

The shutdown came into effect after the Senate failed to pass a stopgap budget before a midnight deadline on Friday, largely due to contention over immigration.

Mr. Schumer and Mr. Trump blamed each other for the shutdown, echoing a blame game that rose up between the Republicans and Democrats.

However, the Senate in a rare Sunday session and on Monday morning were reportedly able to work together in bipartisan efforts to find a solution.

“The question now is how we move forward,” Democratic Senator Dick Durbin before the vote.

“What I have seen here on the floor of the Senate in the last few days is something I have not seen for years: constructive, bipartisan conversations and dialogue.”

Although not present at Capitol Hill for the ballot, Mr. Trump will be speaking post-vote, according to CNN, citing an official.

More details to follow. Refresh for the latest. Image of Capitol Hill from WAMU.